Although the peak season for osmanthus flower viewing has yet to arrive, adhering to the principle that "rare things are precious," I believe it's essential to provide you with an osmanthus flower viewing guide as early as possible. The osmanthus flowers in Hangzhou China attract countless visitors from all over, showcasing their rare beauty. With a guide in hand, you'll be well-prepared.
Viewing Route:
For first-time visitors to Hangzhou, I highly recommend taking the route from Jiuxi to Lian'an Temple, Qianlong Road, Yangmeiling Village, and finally Manjuelong. The scenery along the way is breathtaking, and there are plenty of places to eat and drink. Although it's a well-known tourist spot, it truly deserves its reputation.
Manjuelong remains one of the top destinations for osmanthus flower viewing in Hangzhou. Various rare osmanthus varieties form a "cascade of osmanthus flowers." Once you step into it, you'll understand the beauty of the "Manjuelong Guiyu" (Guiling Rain in Manjuelong), one of the new ten scenic spots of West Lake.
Apart from its stunning scenery, transportation is also very convenient. Non-self-driving visitors can first take Metro Line 3 and get off at Huanglong Cave Station, then take Bus 103 to the entrance of Jiuxi Scenic Area. For those who don't want to walk too much, there are scenic area sightseeing buses available at the entrance for 8 yuan per person. You can pay by scanning the QR code after boarding, and there's an option for a two-stop ticket to Jiuxi Yanshu, with Yangmeiling as the final stop. If you're feeling energetic, you can also walk to the endpoint.
The entire Jiuxi route is flat, making it easy to walk. With the cool weather and the gentle breeze carrying a faint osmanthus fragrance, the walk is quite enjoyable.
Jiuxi Yanshu:
This place is truly magical. It's perfect for summer cooling and autumn osmanthus and red maple viewing, offering a glimpse of almost all the beautiful scenery in Hangzhou. It's no wonder it's one of the new ten scenic spots of Hangzhou. The man-made pathways here don't have a touristy feel but rather resemble an adventure in the forest.
The trees alongside the path are abundant and lush, with a stream running through them. The osmanthus trees are also compactly distributed. Especially after rain, the golden osmanthus flowers scatter on the water surface, enhancing the visual effect to its peak.
Those who missed the first wave of osmanthus flowers don't need to be upset, as the osmanthus flowers in Hangzhou bloom in batches. For instance, today, the fragrance in the air of Hangzhou is even more intense than when I went out yesterday!
Lian'an Temple:
Continue upstream along the footpath in Jiuxi, and you'll reach Qianlong Road. Along the way, you'll discover a serene thousand-year-old temple among the lush green trees—Lian'an Temple (currently closed to the public).
Previously known as "Yongquan Zen Monastery" or “Fahyu Temple”, it was named after the famous Fahuyu Spring within the temple. There are also many old osmanthus trees around, with lush foliage and fragrant flowers, creating a serene atmosphere reminiscent of the line, "A winding path leads to a secluded monastery amid fragrant flowers and trees." Although it has been converted into a restaurant, it's still a great spot for osmanthus flower viewing and dining.
Qianlong Road:
Qianlong Road, connecting the Jiuxi Scenic Area and Yangmeiling Village, is well-known and a popular hiking route in Hangzhou for scenic viewing.
It starts from Jiuxi Road in the south and ends at Manjuelong Road in the north, spanning 1.5 kilometers and serving as the main road through Yangmeiling Village. On the way from Lian'an Temple to Yangmeiling Village, the mountains on both sides are filled with peaks and ridges, with tea plantations interspersed and streams flowing. The scenery on both sides of the road, with mountains standing tall and clear, is elegant and natural. Walking here, I was captivated by the beauty of every step. Indeed, the phrase "a new scene at every step" perfectly describes Hangzhou.
Yangmeiling Village:
Adjacent to Lian'an Temple, Yangmeiling is a must-pass on the way to Manjuelong and the source of "Jiuxi."
Surrounded by mountains on all sides, it's lush and serene. A stream formed by the convergence of waters from various valleys flows through the village, flowing ceaselessly throughout the year.
The name Yangmeiling also has some history behind it. Although Yangmeiling is now famous for its West Lake Longjing tea, historical records trace back to a time when it was renowned for cultivating "Jinpo Yangmei" (golden wife yangmei). Hence, the ridge was named after the valley. Yangmeiling Village was named for its abundant yangmei trees, making it the only village in the West Lake scenic area named after a fruit tree.
However, over time and due to wars, the yangmei forests were gradually destroyed. It was only in 2006 that Yangmeiling Village redeveloped its yangmei orchard, planting over 1,200 yangmei trees, restoring the "yangmei flavor" to the village.
Walking through the village, white-walled and gray-tiled houses dot the lush greenery, not arranged neatly but in a charming, staggered layout. The scent of osmanthus and tea fills the air, making every step a poetic experience.
There are also many teahouses in the village where people can rest and drink tea. Additionally, there are shops selling tea leaves. However, as I'm not very knowledgeable about this aspect, I won't make any recommendations.
There are also many homestays and farm restaurants to choose from, perfect for taking a break and grabbing a bite to eat if you're feeling tired.
Manjuelong:
Exiting Yangmeiling leads to Manjuelong Road, where you can take Bus 87 or walk.
I chose to walk, and the downhill path was easy to navigate, not too far to Shang Manjuelong. However, be cautious of passing vehicles and walk on the side.
I haven't been in Hangzhou for long, but I have a special fondness for Manjuelong. I know it's crowded and that osmanthus flowers bloom all over the city, but not visiting during this time always feels like something missing.
When I visited for this guide, I didn't catch it at its busiest. But the osmanthus flowers should be in their best bloom in a couple of days. If you don't mind the crowds, it's worth a visit.
Moreover, Manjuelong is even more crowded this year due to the small stalls lined up on both sides of the lower Manjuelong Road. The stalls, centered around osmanthus, also sell jewelry, fans, bracelets, and more.
With people viewing flowers, shopping, and cars coming and going, it's difficult to avoid crowds. But I think that's just how Manjuelong should be—when the osmanthus blooms, everyone happily gathers, enveloped by the flower fragrance and the romance of Hangzhou.
After this trip, I was tired and took a break at FORMHER COFFEE by the roadside, attracted by its online popularity. However, I was slightly disappointed. I ordered a Guilin Longjing Cold Brew with Osmanthus, which looked good but tasted average. Coupled with its slightly higher price, the overall cost-effectiveness was not high. I guess I've helped you avoid this spot.
Additionally, there were too many people taking photos inside, making the experience less enjoyable.
Alternative Routes:
Here are a few alternative routes for enjoying osmanthus flowers:
- Children's Park Route: Hangzhou Children's Park → Hangzhou Zoo → Hupao Park
- West Lake Southern Mountain Route: Jingci Temple → Changqiao → Xueshi Park → Qianwangci
- Beishan Street Route: Hangzhou Botanical Garden → Hangzhou Flower Nursery → Gushan (Wenlange) → Majiu Temple
- Yunying Sanzhu Route: Lingyin Temple → Yongfu Temple → Fahexi Temple
Recommendation for accommodation：
Oakwood Residence Hangzhou
Address: No. 28 Jiaogong Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou, China. It is located in the Wulin Square area, providing convenient access to various amenities.
Prices: Prices may vary depending on the room type, season, and promotions.
Booking Websites: You can book rooms at Oakwood Hangzhou Hotel on multiple websites, including hotels.com(Hotels Official Site)
Amanfayun Hotel
Address: No. 22 Fayun Lane, Xihu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
Reservation Website: www.aman.com
Highlights:This hotel is located within the Lingyin Temple scenic area, at the heart of West Lake, and is a straight-line distance of 3 kilometers from Manjuelong Road.
Experience the charm of Hangzhou's osmanthus flowers this autumn and embark on a journey filled with fragrance and beauty.
I will be traveling extensively in China for several months, visiting more cities and bringing you more exciting travel guides. Please follow my blog, Travelwheretosleep.
